APRIL 2024 – RIGPE DORJE FOUNDATION

Wednesdays, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Chenrezik & Amitabha Sadhanas

Love, compassion, joy, and wisdom—together known as bodhicitta—are the indivisible nature of the Buddha’s enlightened mind. Chenrezik (Skt. Avalokiteshvara), the Buddha of Infinite Compassion, is the embodiment of these virtuous qualities.

Through the practice of Amitabha, the Buddha of Boundless Light, beings, especially those with faith, are guided to rebirth in Dewachen (Skt. Sukhavati), the pure realm of immaculate happiness, joy and bliss.

By donation

Thursday, April 4, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Dakini Day
Annual Memorial Day for the Deceased.

On this day we do prayers to honour and remember our loved ones. Amitabha, Chenrezik, King of Aspiration Prayer and Lamp Offering.

Our prayers can also benefit deceased who have passed away a long time ago and have taken rebirth.

Please bring a list of the deceased to whom you would like to dedicate these prayers. If you cannot join in person, you can send in the names of the deceased to centre@rigpedorjemontreal.org

Suggested minimum donation: $5 per person/$15 per family.

Sunday, April 7, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Class for Children and Youth

This monthly class will be held the first Sunday of each month.

Led by Acharya Choying Gyurmey and Chenlin Ding

The class will begin with a short prayer.
Acharya will then give basic meditation instructions.
Acharya and Chenlin will facilitate a sharing of ideas about the Buddha and the Buddha’s teachings.
The youth will be shown how to do the yoga sun salutation
The class will conclude with a short moment of reflection and dedication.

By donation

Note to Parents: Each child should bring a yoga mat.
Please bring vegetarian food to share for a potluck lunch after the class.

Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Mala, Teaching and Workshop

By Acharya Choying Gyurmey and Yue Ming Dong

Mala is a Sanskrit word meaning “garland.” Acharya will present how and why we use a mala in Vajrayana meditation practices. Ms. Yue Ming Dong will show us how to repair our broken malas, or make new ones. Please bring whatever malas you have. Your donations will cover the materials provided to repair or create a new mala that you can then use for your practice.

Suggested donation: 10$ members / $15 non-members

Sunday, April 14, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Tea Meditation

Led by Acharya Choying Gyurmey and Tea Master Vivian Li

A tea meditation involves being mindful and present during all aspects of the tea ritual including making the tea, drinking the tea, and being aware of the environment and of the effects on your mind and body. You can practise a tea meditation any time during the day. It’s an example of how to apply our meditation in daily life.

By donation

Afterwards, please join us for a potluck lunch. (Bring vegetarian food to share.)

Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Medicine Buddha Day
Medicine Buddha Sadhana

The Buddha of Healing vowed to help the sick and dying. This prayer averts and clears obstacles related to sickness and diseases and can lead to recovery from ill health, surgeries, etc. The dying and the deceased are protected from rebirth in lower states. Moreover beings in lower states are more swiftly liberated and can attain a fortunate rebirth. Just reciting the Medicine Buddha’s name has the power to ripen limitless benefits in one’s mind. In our present world situation, it is important to do this practice.

By donation

Thursday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Guru Rinpoche Day*
Guru Rinpoche Sadhana and Tsok Offering

Prayers to Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, are considered to be increasingly potent during these difficult times, and he is often invoked for protection and the removing obstacles. The Konchok Chidu Sadhana is one of the most profound Guru Yoga practices leading to accomplishing the mind of Guru Rinpoche. It helps to avert spiritual obstacles and pacifies all negativity on the path to enlightenment.

*Each 10th Day of the Lunar months is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava. This is because, although he is never separate from those who have faith in him, he promised that on this particular day he would definitely appear to us, “in person” as it were.

By donation

Tuesday, April 23, 5:30 a.m. to 6:45 a.m.

Full Moon Day

Sojong—a short ritual for taking the eight Mahayana vows of a lay practitioner for a single day. These vows are to be taken before sunrise, and include not eating after your midday meal.

The Treasury of Blessings Sadhana

A simple and beautiful meditation on Sakyamuni Buddha that anyone can practise. This practice was revealed by Mipham Rinpoche in the 19th century. It combines visualization, mantra chanting and meditative absorption. We can experience peace, clarity of mind and the blessings of the Buddhas through this meditation. By reflecting upon the qualities of the Buddha and resting the mind in the recitation of mantras, we can pacify destructive emotions and sow the seeds for enlightenment.

Lamp Offering with the aspiration that the light of loving kindness, compassion and understanding may dispel all personal and global obstacles.

Suggested donation for the Lamp Offering: $5 per person/$15 per family